5 Common Work Injuries Personal Trainers May Experience on the Job

Like most other jobs, working at a gym as a personal trainer brings potential dangers that may cause injuries on the job.

Personal trainers have a rewarding job, and this is a great career for anyone passionate about health, fitness, and wellness. However, like most other jobs, working at a gym as a personal trainer does bring potential dangers that may cause injuries on the job. Here are a few common injuries experienced by personal trainers in Missouri.

1. Back Injuries

Back injuries are common in almost any profession that involves lifting heavy weights, and fitness trainers who may frequently move heavy weight plates and other equipment are just as susceptible to back injuries like muscle strains and sprains, herniated discs, and other such injuries. 

2. Smashed or Broken Toes & Fingers

This is the most common in personal trainers who often work with heavy dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells. Accidentally dropping or misplacing a heavy weight could lead to one or more smashed or broken fingers/toes. Given the active nature of personal training, this could impair the trainer’s ability to work. 

3. Rotator Cuff/Shoulder Sprains & Tendinitis

The shoulder is a very complex joint, and overuse can cause sprains and tendinitis in the rotator cuff and other anatomical elements of the shoulder. This can be caused by repetitive use or by an accident. 

4. Ankle And Knee Injuries

The ankle and the knee are two of the most mobile and fragile joints in the body. Accidentally twisting your ankle or knee when performing a squat, running, or doing some other kind of activity could lead to a strain, sprain, or even more serious damage to the joint, such as a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), which could put you out of commission for months. 

5. Hearing Loss

This may surprise you, but some personal trainers may run the risk of hearing loss if they participate in group fitness classes like Spinning, Zumba, indoor rowing, and other such classes that often involve loud music. 

According to the National Institutes on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), repeated exposure to an 85 dB sound – about how loud a lawnmower is – can lead to hearing loss. Many sound systems can easily achieve this level of loudness, and prolonged exposure could lead to tinnitus (a ringing in the ears) and permanent hearing damage. 

Get The Representation You Need – Speak With a Work Injury Attorney!

If you’re a personal trainer and you need a workers’ compensation lawyer in St. Louis, The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann is here to help. Our experienced attorneys can help you pursue your case and get the compensation you need for your injury.